USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 38
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
ment, but he did not move in until the fall of 1837. Mr. H. was a pious man; in fact, his neighbors say he was for some years the only pious man in town. For a while public worship was con- ducted by him at his own house, and that of Mr. Andrew Mc- Arthur; and here also and under his care was organized and con- ducted the first Sunday-school. This was probably under the auspices of a Mr. Morse, a Presbyterian minister located at Lapeer, in the fall of 1838. To this same denomination Mr. Hollenbeck belonged.
"David Burritt moved in on the 23d of February, 1838, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 20. During this summer several more families were added to the population. Martin Volen- tine came September 28, and September 29 Andrew McArthur, whose son Reuben had come the previous year with Mr. Hollen- beck. Mr. McArthur was very fond of hunting and made great havoc among the bear, elk, deer, wolves, etc., with which the forest abounded. He was known among the Indians by the name Ne-josh- on-ton-e-get, or Big Hunter. He caught in one winter forty-seven wolves, when the bounty was sixteen dollars a head. On his first visit to the lake now known as Otter Lake, he saw five otters swimming in it, one of which he shot. From this circumstance the lake took its name.
"The families of Asa Phillips and Harvey Perkins also came about this time.
"In 1838 occurred the first birth and death among the white people in the town. On March 6th was born Edwin Clute who died July 2d of the same year. The second person born was Alonzo Volentine, November 17, 1839, who still lives. John Willey and Charles McArthur were born soon after in the order named."
In 1839 the families of Benjamin Niles, Amasa Wood, A. J. Richards and Chauncey Phillips settled in the town. Mrs. Phillips died within the year, and was the first adult person buried here.
In these times, and for many years subsequent, it is not to be supposed that the settlers rolled in luxury to any great extent. The roads were bad at the best, and at certain seasons almost or wholly impassable. Mills were distant, and if there had been stores there was little or no money with which to buy. Stories are related of families living for weeks on hulled corn and leeks or salt and pota- toes. In sickness many distressing cases occurred from the diffi- culty of procuring early help, and many a midnight tramp has been taken to Lapeer after a doctor, over roads obstructed by fallen trees through the dense pine forest.
Mr. Hollenbeck built the first barn, a log one, forty feet long, and it was raised by eight men. Verily, "there were giants in those days." He also built the first corn-crib of small logs, which is still standing in full view of the road, a very fine specimen of backwoods architecture, showing Mr. H. to have been a man of ingenuity and enterprise.
The little archer, Cupid, paid his first recorded visit to this town in the fall of 1839. Through his influence, no doubt, John B. Evans and Sarah Willey walked up to the hymenial altar, and were united in the bonds of wedlock by S. D. McKeen, Esq. The next couple to join heart and hand for life were Jabez Loomis and Harriet Collins, married by the father of the bride. This was in the spring of 1840, and in the following year Richard Clute and Lucretia Phillips took the same important step. This being the third wedding, would hardly have been entitled to mention, but for the fact that an incident occurred on this occasion, which, as it marks one phase of development, ought not to be passed unnoticed. Three young gentlemen and three young ladies formed themselves into the first musical association in town, and greeted the happy couple in the dead hour of night with a lively serenade on tin pans and horns, cow-bells and goose-quill squeakers, with a running ac-
companiment on the pocket pistol. The performers at this prim- itive concert, not desirous of personal fame, modestly desire that their names be withheld, and therefore historical accuracy must be sacrificed to private confidence. It is but just to the young ladies to state that they declare that they took no part in the music, but stayed behind and listened.
The next three years were marked by a very remarkable epi- demic-an epidemic of matrimony. So many of the young people of the settlement fell victims to this usually agreeable disease that personal mention must be omitted. Something less than a dozen marriages occurred about this time, linking together most of the old families in the closest ties of relationship.
During these years and up to 1847, as might have been ex- pected, by immigration and otherwise, the population of Marathon increased rapidly, and many prominent names were added to the citizenship of the town. Among these were Colonel Needham Hemingway and his two sons, Henry and Isaac; the Aurand family, George, Jacob, Andrew and Daniel; the Lawrence family, Den- nis, and afterward his brothers, Joseph and Levi; Chauncey Maxfield, B. J. Harris, W. W. Wagner, Abram Purdy, Edwin Rich- mond, W. W. Brown, George and Leander Levalley, and soon afterward Mortimer F. Levalley, David Haskell and James Petteys.
In 1840 Dennis Lawrence helped cut the present direct road to Lapeer. Previously the route was by Brunnson Lake.
In 1841 the first school-house was built on Hollenbeck's Cor- ners near the cemetery, and the first school teacher was Miss Sarah Hart.
W. W. Wagner, assisted by Duncan Lawrence, built the first water saw-mill, which later became and still remains the property of the latter.
In 1850 John Pierson built the first steam saw-mill at Pierson- ville, and the same year lumber was first rafted down the Flint River. Not until 1864 did the town contain a grist-mill, viz., the one built by Richards Bros. on the stream at Columbiaville. .
Nearly all the patriarchal heads of the old pioneer families have now crossed another river than the Flint.
"Slow, one by one they cross, that pilgrim band, And find beyond another Promised Land; Nor do they fear the dark and troubled tide, But listen calmly to some angel guide, Who leads them safely to the farther side. There, 'stead of lonesome forests wild and stern, Fair gardens blush and bloom at every turn; Instead of rough log cabins, low and mean, Tall heavenly mansions deck the glorious scene; No howling savage brutes inspire with fear, Sweet tones from loving voices charm the ear. Hunger, disease and death no more they feel, The tree of life will nourish them and heal; There with the loved and loving ones of yore, They settle down upon that peaceful shore, A happy colony forevermore."
LUMBERING IN MARATHON.
There was a great deal of pine in this township, and it was for years more a lumbering than a farming community. Among the early lumbermen were S. D. McKeen, John Shafer, Rufus Pierson and Henry Niver. McKeen built near what has ever since been known as McKeen's bridge across Flint River. This was burnt and never rebuilt. Niver and Shafer operated at what is now known as Columbiaville, and the hamlet for a long time was known as Niver- ville. Their successor was William Peter. Mr. Pierson established himself at what was known as Marathon village, a place of no im- portance now, the railroad having passed it by. Columbiaville on the D. & B. C. R. R. in the south part of the town, and Otter Lake, on the west line of the town, also on the railroad, where Fox &
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Begole and Page & Benson had their lumbering establishments, are now the important places in the township.
VILLAGE OF COLUMBIAVILLE.
This is an incorporated village located on the Flint River, and on sections 28, 27, 33 and 34.
The first settler on the site of the village, was Levi D. Cutting, who is still a resident of the place. Mr. Cutting was born in the town of Nashfield, Vermont, in 1820. When fifteen years of age he moved with his parents to Junius, Seneca County, N. Y., and afterwards to Hartland, Niagara County. In the fall of 1847 he removed with his family to Marathon and settled where Columbia- ville now stands. Mr. Cutting was married in 1842 to Eliza M. Warner, of Niagara County, N. Y., who died in Columbiaville, Jan- uary 29, 1872, leaving one son. He married his present wife, Abi- gail M. Hopkins, November 12, 1875.
Mr. Cutting's journey to his new home was attended with severe hardships. Their only child was sick and the latter part of the journey was brought upon a pillow, and carried in its father's arms. The last twelve miles he travelet on foot carrying his pre- cious burden. Bridges were then unknown in this region and with his child in his arms he waded across the Flint River.
When he arrived here, a solitary shanty, which had recently been built by a man named Fineout, was the only sign of human life that was visible. Fineout remained but a short time and then left the place. Mr. Catting built a shanty and thus established the first home in the locality. Here he has remained to the present time, and has now a home in a pleasant residence in a thrifty vil- lage.
The next movement in this locality was the erection of a saw- mill on the bank of the river. George and Henry Niver had located a large tract of pine land in this region, and planned to manufact- ure it into pine lumber. They lived at Copac, Columbia County, N. Y., and Palmer Niver, as their agent, came here to build a mill. The firm afterward became Niver & Shaffer. The mill was built in 1848-'49. It was a water mill and is still standing, but its wheels have ceased to revolve, and its days of activity are probably.in the past.
The operation of the mill called together a few men and a little settlement was began. The Nivers kept a few groceries for the ac- commodation of their men, and a blacksmith shop was started.
About this time, a young man named William Peter was work- ing on a farm in Columbia County, near where the Nivers lived. He was receiving four dollars a month for his labor, and the proba- bilities of accumulating a fortune at that rate did not satisfy his ambition. He was a young man of industrious habits, and had an idea of seeking better chances for making money than he then had. He engaged with the Nivers to come to Michigan and work in their saw-mill, which he did.
In 1852 he concluded to engage in business for himself and built a store building, which is now occupied by Henry Hurt & Co., hardware merchants. In that building he opened the first store in the place. Mr. Peter married a daughter of Ephraim Clute, and their pioneer residence is described by Mr. Peter as being a house with a kitchen, sitting room, bedroom, parlor and pantry, all in one room. This was the beginning of Mr. Peter's business career which has since been remarkable in its continuous success. The en- tire property at Columbiaville finally passel into his possession, and his business interests hive largely built up the village. In 1870 he removed to Toledo, where he now resides, although his interests here continue. From a laborer at four dollars a month he has become one of the wealthy men of the land, his fortune reaching into mill-
ions. This but shows the possibilities that are offered to young men in this free land, where the race for fortune and fame is open to all.
Soon after Mr. Peter started his store, Alfred Pettit built a small wagon shop and worked in it for a short time.
Not long after this Reuben McArthur erected a building for a store but did not use it. It was sold to John and Peter Van Dyke, who 'enlarged it and fitted it up for a hotel. They kept it awhile and sold to a man named Farrel, and it was called the Farrel House. The name was afterwards changed to the Columbiaville Ex- change. It is still kept as a hotel, the present proprietor being El- son Wait.
About 1854 a postoffice was established, and the name Colum- bia was suggested by the Nivers, after their native county. There being another postoffice by that name in the State, some other title had to be given. Determined not to part with the one first sug- gested, they added the ville and thus secured for the place a patriotic and ponderous title. The first postmaster was Chancy Maxfield. He was succeeded by L. D. Cutting. Postmasters since then have been L. H. Congdon, Dennis G. Lawrence and J. L. Preston.
For about twelve years Mr. Peter's store was the only one in the place, and but little change occurred in the general complexion of the neighborhoo.l. The next step forward was in 1864, when Richards Bros. built a grist-mill, the first one in the town of Mara- thon. This was a water mill and was operated by them a number of years. It is now standing an idle companion of the old saw-mill on the bank of the river.
Soon after this, Thomas McDowel built a store and carried on general merchandising, and was followed by Dr. L. H. Congdon.
About 1865 the Protestant Methodists began to have regular worship and built a parsonage. The first resident preacher was Rev. Warren. In 1880 this society erected a neat house of wor- ship.
A Baptist society was next formed but they have never built a church, and do not hold regular meetings.
The Marathon Association started in . 1869, and the first preacher was Rev. Mendenhall. In 1890 a house of worship was begun which has recently been completed, and is called "The Peo- ple's Church." Rufus Pierson is president of the association and E. A: Brown, treasurer.
The first physician in the village was Dr. John Deming, who came from Oakland County. The next was Dr. L. H. Congdon now retired from practice and living near the village. Dr. W. B. Hamilton, present county treasurer, practiced here several years. Drs. Chamberlain and A. W. Carey were here a short time. The present physicians are Drs. John Wilson and Chester Carey.
The first school in the village was taught by Eliza Griggs in a little shanty on the hill, called the Norwegian shanty.
SOCIETIES.
Atna Lodge No. 301, I. O. O. F., was moved from Otter Lake to Columbiaville. It was instituted in 1877. Meetings are held every Saturday evening. Officers: N. G., S. M. Colvin; V. G., Geo. E. Taylor; R. S., Andrew Brown; P. S., N. J. Markle; Treas., W. H. Hurt.
Columbia Council No. 39, Order Chosen Friends, was organized in March, 1882, with forty members. First officers: P. C. C., E. W. Gilbert; C. C., Harris Edgerton; V. C., Henry Bristol; Sec., A. A. House; Treas., Dr. John Wilson. Present membership, forty-eight; officers: C. C., Alex. Johnston; V. C., John Cox; Sec. Geo. E. Taylor; Treas., Dr. John Wilson; prelate, A. M. Cutting.
K. O. T. M., Security Tent No. 70, was organized January 5, 1883, with twenty-three members. Meetings are held the first Tuesday evening in each month. Officers: Commander, J. L.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Preston; F. K., W. H. Hurt; Lt. K., Geo. E. Taylor; R. K., W. H. Swift; Seargt., N. J. Markle; P. C., Elson Wait.
RIVERSIDE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
March 16, 1883, the above named association was formed and the following officers elected: President; E. W. Gilbert; vice-presi- dent, A. Johnston, Sr .; clerk, E. A. Brown; treasurer, Ephraim Clute; directors, Wm. Peter, R. Pierson, John Clark, Geo. E. Taylor, C. H. Clute.
The grounds chosen are to the northeast of the village of Co- lumbiaville about half a mile, and are beautifully situated. Nature has done much in the way of delightful shade trees, and the undu- lating nature of the ground adds greatly to its attractions. J. J. Watkins, surveyor of Lapeer, has surveyed out the lots and laid out the walks, drives and avenues in such a manner as will render the cemetery the most attractive in Lapeer County.
INCORPORATION.
The village was incorporated by act of legislature in 1879. Hon. J. B. Moore of Lapeer, representative at that time, had the matter in charge. The first meeting of trustees was held March 24, 1879. The first president of the village was George Reed, who held the office two years. He was succeeded by Robert Armour, still in office. The clerks of the village have been as follows: D. A. Brown, Harris Edgerton and George E. Taylor. Trustees in 1883: Alexander Johnston, Sr., E. W. Gilbert, E. A. Brown, Dr. John Wilson, A. L. Peabody, William Hollenbeck.
The Rescue fire company completed its organization in August, 1883. Alexander Johnston, Sr., is chief of the department, William McKerwin, assistant; Dr. John Wilson, secretary.
GENERAL PROGRESS.
Columbiaville has enjoyed its greatest prosperity since about the year 1878. In 1877 Mr. Alexander Jolinston erected a saw- mill which is employed in cutting lumber for William Peter. In 1879 Mr. Peter erected a large steam grist and flouring-mill, near the railroad track, with a capacity of about one hundred and thirty barrels of flour a day. In 1880 he erected a handsome two story brick block, which is occupied with his store and business offices.
The Columbiaville planing-mill is located on First Street in the village of Columbiaville, and was built by Alexander Johnston, Jr., in 1882. It is a brick structure, has a frontage of one hundred feet, and a depth of eighty. Its motive power is steam, and about fifty employes are engaged in the building. Sash, doors, blinds, moldings, flooring, siding, ceiling, etc., are manufactured. The products of the factory are shipped to the East and up the northern extension of the M. C. Railway. For shipping purposes the establishment is very conveniently located alongside the track of the D. & B. C. Railway, with which it is connected by side tracks.
THE COLUMBIAVILLE NEWS is a well edited local newspaper, started by John R. Beden in August, 1883. Mr. Beden is a journalist of many years' experience, and his paper bears evidence of ability and enterprise. It is an eight column folio, and is published Thursdays.
The business of the village in September, 1883, may be sum- marized as follows: Two saw-mills, one of them employing fifty men; two planing-mills and sash, door and blind manufactories; one stave, shingle and heading manufactory; one flouring and custom mill; one grist-mill; one foundry and machine shop; one brick yard; four dry goods and general stores; one hardware store; two drug and grocery stores; one furniture store; two hotels; two wagon shops; one agricultural implement store; one bakery and grocery store; one harness shop; three blacksmith shops; three shoe shopr; three millinery stores; one fancy goods store; two
meat markets; one photograph gallery; one barber shop and one printing office and weekly newspaper. Besides these there are two doctors; one insurance agent; three painters; seven carpenters; three secret societies; one band; one fire company; one architect; one justice of the peace; two notary publics; two sewing machine agents; four dressmakers and five stone masons.
Plans are perfected for the erection of a large woolen-mill, which is expected to be in operation during 1884.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
EPHRAIM CLUTE, the first actual settler in the township of Marathon, was born in 1804 in the town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, N. Y. He was raised on a farm and lived in various parts of the State until 1836, when he came to Michigan, locating in Marathon, where he had bought land of the United States government. His farm comprises 160 acres, is in sections 32 and 38, township 9 north, range 9 east, and is one of the finest in the township. In 1878 he became a resident of the village of Columbiaville, but still continues the management of his farm. He served two terms as supervisor, and was town treasurer a number of years. He is now, 1883, treasurer of the village, also treasurer of the "People's Church" association, and the Riverside cemetery. He was first married in 1833 to Miss Adelia Phillips, of Wayne County, N. Y., by whom he had three children, one only of whom, a daughter, is now living. She is the wife of William Peter, Esq. The first Mrs. C. died in 1842, and in 1843 he was again married to Miss Maria Gifford, a native of eastern New York. They have two children, a son and a daughter.
ALFRED BURGESS was born in 1831 in the County of Essex, England. He learned the trade of fanning-mill maker. Was engaged in that and the furniture business at St. Osyth, near the city of Colchester, England. In 1856 emigrated to the United States, worked for a time in Schenectady, N. Y., and then went to Burford, U. C., now Ontario. In 1858 bought some land in Watertown, Tuscola County. Farmed there and in Kingston, same county, also manufactured fanning-mills. In 1860 he came to Marathon Township, where he engaged in farming and was also a fanning-mill maker. Was in the butchering business for some fifteen years, relinquishing that to his son, who now carries it on in Columbiaville. In 1876 he opened a cabinet making, furniture and undertaking establishment in the village. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1877, and re-elected in 1881. When the village of Columbiaville was incorporated in 1879, he was elected assessor, and every year thereafter, has been re-elected, his last re-election being in the spring of 1883. Has been married twice, the first time to Miss Sarah Barton, of Bentley, England, by whom he had four children. She died in 1874. In 1875 he was again married to Miss Susan Parkhurst, of Deerfield, Lapeer County, Mich.
ROBERT ARMOUR was born in the County of Armagh, Ireland, in 1827. His parents left that country when he was a few months old, and went to Glasgow, Scotland, where he lived until he was thirteen years of age. In 1840 they emigrated to Canada. They remained in Montreal a year, and then removed to Mount Vernon, in Brantford County, Ontario. In 1870 he left there and came to Lapeer County, residing for a couple of months at North Branch, and then making Columbiaville his home. While in Mount Vernon he learned the trade of a shoemaker, which calling he has since followed. In 1881 he was elected president of the village of Columbiaville, and re-elected in the years 1882-'83. Is a married man and has a family of nine children, two of them, however, being the children of his present wife by a former husband.
RES . OF DR. D. F. STONE , METAMORA, LAPEER CO. MICH.
RES. OF LEWIS Y. STRUBLE, SEC. 31, Attica Tp. Lapeer Co. MICH.
OLD HOMESTEAD OF JAMES BLOW, DRYDEN TP LAPEER CO. MICH.
OLD HOMESTEAD , RES. OF J. N. MILLER, DRYDEN TP. LAPEER CO. MICH.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
ALEXANDER JOHNSTON, JR., was born August 21, 1851, at Chatham, Ontario, ard came to Michigan with his parents in 1863. He lived for the better part of the time up to 1877 at Lapeer. In 1877 he had a shingle-mill near Elm Creek in Deer- field, of which township he was clerk for two years. Was in a sash, door and blind factory, at West Bay City for over two years, and built and operated a similar establishment at Oxford, Oakland County. Came to Columbiaville in 1882, where he has built a large brick, sash, door and blind factory, in which are employed some fifty men. He was married in 1881 to Miss Mary Warren, a native of Illinois, but a resident of Lapeer at that time. They have had two children, only one of whom, a son, is now living. Mr. Johnston is a live, stirring business man, and as an employer and otherwise does much to aid in the growth and prosperity of the village in which he lives.
JOHN WILSON, M. D., was born in Northamptonshire, England, 1830. He commenced his medical studies in Stamford, England, before emigrating to the United States, which he did in 1849. He at first went to Wisconsin, and lived for some time in Milwaukee and Grand Prairie. He left that State and went to Syracuse, N. Y., graduating from the Syracuse Medical College in 1853. The doctor also graduated at the New York Medical College in 1854, and Phila- delphia Medical University in 1855. In 1863 he walked the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, England. He practiced there and was also principal business manager of the American College of Pharmacy in that city. In 1856 he removed to Fond du Lac, Wis., where he remained until 1860. In the latter year he returned to Eng- land and followed his profession in the city of Nottingham until 1875. In June of that year he returned to the United States, and came to Lapeer, Mich. He remained in that city until 1879 when he re- moved to the village of Columbiaville. He holds the following vil- lage offices: member of the board of trustees, director for the schools and health officer; is also school inspector for the township of Marathon. In 1849 he was married to Rosanna Revill, of Donning- ton, England, by whom he had six children, all of whom are living. She died in 1876 and in 1881 he was married to Lizzie Hollinshead, a native of Marathon Township.
EDWIN. W. GILBERT was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1831. He received a common school education. In 1849 he went to Flint, Mich., and until 1865 followed the trade of a carpenter and joiner. In 1865 he engaged in the cattle business, which he continued at until 1867 when he became a merchant at Mount Morris, Genesee County. He remained there until 1874 when he entered the employ of Page & Benson, afterward Tanner & Sherman, at Otter Lake, Lapeer County. In 1880 he came to Columbiaville and took the management of William Peter's extensive mercantile establishment. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1880, and is a member of the board of trustees and one of the directors of the schools of the village. He was married in 1851 to Miss Frances Martin, a native of New York State. He is a gentleman who has gained the esteem of the community in which he lives by his cour- teous treatment of all with whom he has either business or personal intercourse.
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